1.Ectopic expression of hemoglobin subunits enhances the in vitro cytotoxicity of CAR-T cells against tumor cells under hypoxic conditions
YANG Jianxun1,2 ; ZHENG Rui3 ; LIANG Sixin3 ; PAN Jie4 ; LI Yanlong5 ; ZHAI Chenxi5 ; ZHAO Xiaojuan2 ; WANG Pengju3 ; DONG Hao4 ; YAN Bo2 ; SUN Zhihong1 ; YANG Angang3
Chinese Journal of Cancer Biotherapy 2026;33(3):233-242
[摘 要] 目的:探讨异位表达血红蛋白亚基(HBA/HBB)对缺氧条件下嵌合抗原受体T细胞(CAR-T细胞)功能障碍的改善作用及其对肿瘤细胞的杀伤效应。方法:全基因合成技术合成靶向HER2的CAR序列,构建共表达HBA或HBB的CAR慢病毒载体,包装慢病毒后感染人原代T淋巴细胞,制备异位表达HBA/HBB的CAR-T细胞,命名为HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T。采用缺氧探针检测小鼠实体瘤缺氧状态。通过流式细胞术检测瘤内CAR-T细胞占比、异位表达血红蛋白亚基的CAR-T细胞阳性率及CAR-T细胞的活性氧、凋亡水平。WB法检测HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T内相关血红蛋白亚基表达情况,采用细胞计数板计数检测细胞增殖水平,通过萤光素酶报告基因法检测CAR-T细胞对肿瘤细胞的杀伤能力,qPCR检测CAR-T细胞中缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)表达水平,利用MitoXpress Intra试剂盒检测CAR-T细胞内氧气含量。结果:不同细胞构建的实体瘤模型均存在明显缺氧情况,且CAR-T细胞浸润水平与缺氧程度呈显著负相关(P < 0.000 1)。HBA CAR-T与HBB CAR-T构建成功(阳性率 > 60%),相应血红蛋白亚基可稳定表达。缺氧环境下HBA CAR-T和HBB CAR-T的ROS水平、凋亡水平显著下降,增殖、对肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤能力显著强于传统CAR-T细胞(均P < 0.05)。HBA CAR-T与HBB CAR-T内HIF-1α表达降低(均P < 0.001),且缺氧程度显著降低(均P < 0.001)。结论:异位表达血红蛋白亚基可改善缺氧条件下CAR-T细胞功能障碍并增强其对肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤作用。
2.Molecular characterization analyses of a human metapneumovirus outbreak in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City
Jianyi LIU ; Chenye ZHANG ; Lei ZHAO ; Huiqun SHUAI ; Huanhuan YU ; Qingyu SUN ; Fei LU ; Shengjun XI
Shanghai Journal of Preventive Medicine 2026;38(3):216-220
ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of a cluster of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection in a kindergarten in Gongshu District of Hangzhou City in May 2024, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of similar outbreaks. MethodsAn on-site investigation was conducted using an epidemiological case investigation form. Throat swab specimens collected from cases were screened for 13 respiratory pathogens using real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For HMPV nucleic acid positive specimens, the F gene of HMPV was used as the target gene for amplification and sequencing. The sequencing results were then compared with sequences in GenBank database to determine the virus subtypes and perform phylogenetic analyses. ResultsThe outbreak occurred in a kindergarter junior class with a total of 28 preschoolers and 3 teachers and childcare workers. A total of 11 cases (10 preschoolers and 1 teacher) were identified, including 8 male cases and 3 female cases. Clinical manifestations included fever in all 11 cases (100.00%), cough in 8 cases (72.72%), catarrhal symptoms in 4 cases (36.36%), and headache in 3 cases (27.27%). All symptoms were mild, and no severe cases were observed. A total of 11 throat swab samples were collected. Real-time fluorescent PCR test results showed that 3 samples were positive for HMPV nucleic acid, 2 samples were positive for both HMPV and Streptococcus pneumoniae, and 1 sample was positive for both HMPV and rhinovirus. The sequences of the 6 HMPV nucleic acid positive specimens were amplified and analyzed using specific primers, and all were determined to be HMPV subtype A2b. The F gene fragment sequence showed the highest similarity to PV081665.1/Brazil/2024 (99.65%), and also exhibited high similarity to PP683455.1/Indonesia/2021 (99.48%), PV016275.1/Beijing/2024 (99.31%), and PV052230.1/USA/2024 (99.13%). ConclusionThis cluster of acute respiratory tract infection was caused by HMPV subtype A2b, with co-infection of rhinovirus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The F gene fragment sequences of the HMPV in this outbreak were highly homologous to those of the A2b strains isolated from Brazil, Beijing, Indonesia, and the the United States.
3.The SMAD-Pathway Mediates HMGB1-Induced Proliferation and Metastatic Progression in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells
De-De LIAN ; Xue Mei LI ; Yu-Xi JIA ; Ming-Wei ZHOU ; Xiang-Ru CHEN ; Yang-Yang TIAN ; Min LI ; Ming-Hui SUN ; Ye ZHAO ; Hong-Jun LI ; Qing-Ling ZHANG
Annals of Dermatology 2026;38(1):51-58
Background:
High-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) is a chromatin-binding protein involved in arthritis, ischemia, sepsis, atherosclerosis, neurodegenerative disorders, meningitis, and cancer. HMGB1 exhibits dual roles in cancer, acting as either a tumor suppressor or oncoprotein depending on context.
Objective:
This research aimed to elucidate HMGB1’s functional significance in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).
Methods:
We overexpressed HMGB1 in cSCC cell lines using recombinant adenovirus and examined its effects on cell proliferation, colony formation, and cell migration.
Results:
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed elevated HMGB1 expression levels in cSCC tissue relative to normal epidermis. To assess the influence of HMGB1, we employed recombinant adenoviruses expressing HMGB1 to transduce SCC cell lines (SCC12 and SCC13). Enhanced HMGB1 expression significantly promoted cellular proliferation and colony formation capacity.Notably, HMGB1 overexpression elevated the levels of proliferation regulators, including P63, SOX2, CDK4 and CDK6. Furthermore, HMGB1 overexpression substantially enhanced tumor invasiveness, accompanied by upregulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers. Mechanistically, overexpression of HMGB1 enhanced transforming growth factor-β signaling by increasing phosphorylation of SMAD2/3, the key mediators of EMT.
Conclusion
These data imply that HMGB1 acts as a tumor-promoting factor in cSCC.
4.Status and influencing factors of the application of informatization tools for antimicrobial stewardship in Chinese county hospitals
Yuqi FU ; Xin LI ; Ying LI ; Hongwei WU ; Zhixin FAN ; Jinru LIU ; Xi CHEN ; Yuxiang XIA ; Qiang SUN ; Yingbo ZHAO
China Pharmacy 2026;37(16):2084-2089
OBJECTIVE To investigate the current status of informatization tools applied to antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals in China, and to provide a reference for promoting the informatization development of antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals.METHODS From August to September 2025, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 007 county hospitals across 31 provinces(autonomous regions, and municipalities) in China. The survey focused on the application of four types of informatization tools:the real-time monitoring system for antimicrobial use, the pre-prescription review system, the irrational use warning system, and the electronic prescription evaluation system(hereinafter referred to as the “monitoring system”“review system”“warning system”“evaluation system”,respectively). Correlation analysis and binary Logistic regression analysis were employed to explore the influencing factors.RESULTS Of the county hospitals, 80.83% were equipped with at least one type of informatization tool for antimicrobial stewardship, while 19.17% had no relevant tool. Only 18.87% of the hospitals were equipped with all four types of tools. The monitoring system exhibited the highest equipped rate (70.80%), whereas the warning system was equipped in only 33.96% of the hospitals. Four types of tools are evenly and adequately deployed in the eastern region, the central and western regions have far lower deployment rates of intervention tools including review system and warning system, accompanied by prominent intra-provincial gaps. The total number of the health technicians, hospital grade, and prescription review rate of outpatient antibacterial drug were significantly and positively correlated with the deployment rates of the four informatization tools ( P <0.05). The results of the Logistic regression model fitting indicated that the model of the review system was rated “excellent” [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.81], and the model of the warning system was rated “further improvement” (AUC=0.67). The total number of health technicians was significantly positively correlated with the deployment rates of all four types of informatization tools (all P <0.05).CONCLUSIONS The informatization of antimicrobial stewardship in county hospitals in China remains in the initial stage of transitioning from “passive statistics” to “active prevention and control”, with challenges such as structural imbalance and regional disparities. In the future, differentiated support strategies should be implemented, the allocation of resources should be optimized, to enhance the level of refined antimicrobial stewardship.
5.Experimental study on the method of establishing a pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model
Heng ZHAO ; Jinteng FENG ; Shan GAO ; Rui ZHAO ; Hongyi WANG ; Ye SUN ; Yixing LI ; Haotian BAI ; Runyi TAO ; Bin HE ; Zhiyu WANG ; Yanpeng ZHANG ; Borui SUN ; Shuo LI ; Guangjian ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2026;33(08):1275-1281
Objective To explore the method for establishing a pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model. Methods A total of 4 male Yorkshire pigs weighing (40.0±2.5) kg underwent surgical procedures, including anesthesia, tracheal intubation, donor lung procurement, and recipient lung transplantation. Histological morphology and blood gas analysis of the transplanted lungs were assessed 2 hours after reperfusion to evaluate the histological changes and function of the transplanted lungs. Results The pigs underwent left lung in situ transplantation, effectively simulating conditions relevant to human lung transplantation. Two hours after the transplantation, arterial blood gas analysis showed that arterial partial pressure of oxygen was 155.4-178.6 mm Hg, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide was 53.1-62.4 mm Hg, and the oxygenation index was 310.8-357.2 mm Hg. Hematoxylin and eosin staining indicated a low degree of pulmonary edema and minimal cellular infiltration. Conclusion The pig left lung orthotopic transplantation model possesses strong operability and stability. Researchers can replicate this model according to the described methods and further conduct basic research and explore clinical translational applications.
6.Effects of Electrothermal Acupuncture on the HIF-1α/S1P/S1PR3 Pathway and Macrophage Polarization in Epididymal White Adipose Tissue of Obese Model Mice
Xiaobo GE ; Yuanyuan LI ; Jiangyan WEI ; Limin NIE ; Xin YANG ; Quan MIAO ; Mina WANG ; Yawei XI ; Luopeng ZHAO ; Yine SONG ; Xinru SUN ; Lu LIU ; Bin LI
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;67(20):2227-2235
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism underlying the weight loss effect of electrothermal acupuncture (ETA) in diet-induced obese (DIO) model mice based on the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1PR3) signaling pathway-mediated macrophage polarization. MethodsAn obesity mouse model was established by continuously feeding at a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Twenty successfully modeled obese mice were randomly divided into a model group and an electrothermal acupuncture (ETA) group with 10 mice per group, both of which continued to receive the HFD till week 12. Another 10 mice were assigned to the normal group and fed a standard chow diet continuously for 12 weeks. Starting from week 9 of the experiment, mice in the ETA group received electrothermal acupuncture stimulation at Zhongwan (CV12), bilateral Tianshu (ST25), and bilateral Zusanli (ST36) for 30 minutes per session, with the instrument current set at (40±0.5)mA and a constant temperature of (40±0.5)℃. Mice in the normal group and the model group were restrained in the same manner for 30 minutes without acupuncture. All interventions were performed once every other day for a total of 4 weeks. Ten hours after the final intervention, the body weight, waist circumference, and body length of mice in each group were measured, and Lee's index was calculated. Serum biochemical analysis was performed to assess fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr). Serum leptin (LEP) and adiponectin (ADPN) levels, as well as sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) levels in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), were detected by ELISA. Histomorphological changes in eWAT were monitored via HE staining. Flow cytometry was used to analyze macrophage subtype-related indexes in eWAT, including the total proportion of macrophages, the proportion of M1 macrophages, the proportion of M2 macrophages, and the M1/M2 ratio. Antibody array technology was used to determine the levels of differentially expressed inflammatory factors in eWAT between the model and blank groups, as well as between the ETA and model groups. Western blot and qPCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 in the eWAT, respectively. ResultsCompared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased body weight, Lee's index, waist circumference, and FBG, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, AST, and ALT levels, upgraded LEP and S1P levels, decreased ADPN level and ADPN/LEP ratio, elevated proportion of M1 macrophages and the M1/M2 ratio, reduced proportion of M2 macrophages, and upregulated protein and mRNA expression levels of HIF-1α and S1PR3 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). With the exception of HDL-C, all the abovementioned indicators in the ETA group were significantly improved compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Analysis of differentially expressed inflammatory cytokines revealed that, compared to the normal group, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-12p70 (IL-12p70) in the eWAT of the model group were elevated; conversely, the levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-5 (IL-5), IL-6, and interleukin-23 (IL-23) in the eWAT of the ETA group decreased compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). ConclusionETA exerts a weight-reducing effect in obese model mice, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of the HIF-1α/S1P/S1PR3 signaling pathway activation, which shifts macrophage polarization from the M1 to M2 phenotype, thereby alleviating chronic inflammation.
7.Construction of medication error prediction model for intravenous medication dispensing center in a hospital from 2023 to 2024
Yanqing ZHANG ; Rutao WANG ; Meina ZHAO ; Dan SUN ; Min ZHAO ; Xiaoyan ZHOU
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(10):529-533
Objective To explore the influencing factors of medication errors (ME) in the intravenous admixture service center of a tertiary hospital in Xi’an and construct a prediction model. Methods A retrospective cohort study design was adopted, with 200 cases of ME recorded in the hospital’s intravenous dispensing center from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, as the ME group. 400 cases of routine medication records without ME were randomly selected as the ME group. Baseline data from two groups were collected and compared, the influencing factors of ME in the hospital’s static fitting center were analyzed, and a decision tree mode was constructed. Results There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in incomplete medical order information, high-risk drugs, preparation time, and pharmacist training frequency between the ME group and the non ME group. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05) in other data between the groups; Through logistics regression analysis, it was found that incomplete medical order information, high-risk drugs, preparation time, and pharmacist training frequency were all influencing factors for ME occurrence in hospital intravenous dispensing centers (OR>1, P<0.05); The constructed decision tree model selected a total of four explanatory variables, among which the configuration time was the important root node variable. The AUC of the decision tree model was 0.808 (95% CI: 0.774−0.842), the sensitivity was 0.840, the specificity was 0.635, and the Youden index was 0.475. Conclusion The occurrence of ME in the hospital's static dispensing center from 2023 to 2024 was related to incomplete medical order information, high-risk drugs, preparation time, and pharmacist training frequency. The decision tree model constructed based on the above indicators had certain predictive value for ME in the static dispensing center.
8.Association of serum alanine aminotransferase level with left ventricular hypertrophy in adolescents
JIA Peng, ZHAO Min, SUN Jiahong, XI Bo
Chinese Journal of School Health 2025;46(8):1180-1184
Objective:
To investigate the association of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in adolescents, and to provide scientific evidence for the early screening and intervention strategy of cardiac structure damage.
Methods:
Data were obtained from the third follow up survey (October 2023) of the "Huantai Childhood Cardiovascular Health Cohort Study", including 1 156 healthy adolescents aged 12-17 with complete information. The sample population was stratified into low ( Q 1 group), medium ( Q 2 group), and high ( Q 3 group) ALT levels based on tertiles within the same gender and age groups. Inter group comparisons were conducted using analysis of variance and trend test. A multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between ALT levels and LVH, and stratified analyses were performed by gender and age groups.
Results:
With the increase of ALT quantile level, the detection rate of LVH showed an increasing trend ( Q 1: 3.7%; Q 2: 10.6%; Q 3: 16.7%, Z= 5.89 , P <0.01). After adjusting for potential covariates, compared with the ALT group ( Q 1), the group ( Q 3) increased the risk of developing LVH in adolescents ( OR=2.09, 95%CI =1.21-4.12). Stratified analyses by age and sex showed a significant association only in boys and younger individuals aged 12 to 14 years [ OR (95% CI ) were 2.64(1.04-7.67) and 3.24( 1.35 -9.06), both P <0.05)].
Conclusion
Elevated serum ALT levels are associated with an increased risk of LVH in adolescents, and early detection and control of abnormal liver enzyme levels can help reduce early vascular structural damage and prevent adverse cardiovascular events.
9.Advances in the role of protein post-translational modifications in circadian rhythm regulation.
Zi-Di ZHAO ; Qi-Miao HU ; Zi-Yi YANG ; Peng-Cheng SUN ; Bo-Wen JING ; Rong-Xi MAN ; Yuan XU ; Ru-Yu YAN ; Si-Yao QU ; Jian-Fei PEI
Acta Physiologica Sinica 2025;77(4):605-626
The circadian clock plays a critical role in regulating various physiological processes, including gene expression, metabolic regulation, immune response, and the sleep-wake cycle in living organisms. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial regulatory mechanisms to maintain the precise oscillation of the circadian clock. By modulating the stability, activity, cell localization and protein-protein interactions of core clock proteins, PTMs enable these proteins to respond dynamically to environmental and intracellular changes, thereby sustaining the periodic oscillations of the circadian clock. Different types of PTMs exert their effects through distincting molecular mechanisms, collectively ensuring the proper function of the circadian system. This review systematically summarized several major types of PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, SUMOylation and oxidative modification, and overviewed their roles in regulating the core clock proteins and the associated pathways, with the goals of providing a theoretical foundation for the deeper understanding of clock mechanisms and the treatment of diseases associated with circadian disruption.
Protein Processing, Post-Translational/physiology*
;
Circadian Rhythm/physiology*
;
Humans
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Animals
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CLOCK Proteins/physiology*
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Circadian Clocks/physiology*
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Phosphorylation
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Acetylation
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Ubiquitination
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Sumoylation
10.Genetic analysis of a family with Ellis-van Creveld syndrome caused by compound heterozygous mutations in the EVC gene:A case report and literature review
Dong-Lan SUN ; Wen-Qi CHEN ; Jing ZHANG ; Yuan-Yuan PENG ; Yu-Fan YUAN ; Zhao-Xi WANG ; Qing GUO ; Jing ZHANG
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(2):168-175
Objective To report the genetic analysis of a family with a fetus suspected of Ellis-van Creveld(EVC)syndrome based on ultrasound findings such as ventricular septal defect(VSD),short long bones in the limbs and polydactyly,and to conduct a literature review to clarify the pathogenic cause.Methods A 27-year-old pregnant woman,who was pregnant for the first time and had no prior deliveries,was admitted to the prenatal diagnosis center of Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in October 2021.At 17 weeks of gestation,ultrasound detected multiple fetal malformations.The genomic DNA of the fetal proband's amniotic fluid cells and the parents'peripheral blood samples were sequentially subjected to chromosomal karyotype analysis,chromosomal microarray analysis(CMA),and whole exome sequencing(WES).Suspected pathogenic mutations were verified by Sanger sequencing in the proband and its parents.Subsequently,a Minigene in vitro experiment was used to analyze one splicing mutation.Meanwhile,databases such as PubMed were searched,and literature reports were combined for genetic analysis.Results Chromosomal karyotype analysis of the fetus showed no abnormalities,and CMA did not detect any copy number variation(CNV)with clinical significance.WES results revealed two mutations in the EVC gene(NM_153717.2)of the fetus:a nonsense mutation c.1405G>T(p.E469X)in exon 10 and a splicing mutation c.1886+5G>A in intron 13.Family verification using Sanger sequencing showed that the father was a carrier of the c.1405G>T(p.E469X)mutation in exon 10,and the mother was a carrier of the c.1886+5G>A mutation in intron 13.The compound heterozygous mutation of the fetus was inherited from the parents.According to the guidelines of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics(ACMG)for classifying genetic variations,c.1405G>T(p.E469X)was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PVS1+PM2),and c.1886+5G>A was classified as likely pathogenic mutation(PM2+PM3_Strong).The Minigene experiment results showed that the c.1886+5G>A mutation caused a 115-bp segment retention in intron 13,further supporting its pathogenicity.Review of the literature showed that the typical clinical manifestations of EVC syndrome include short limbs,short ribs,postaxial polydactyly,nail and tooth dysplasia,and congenital heart defects.Gene mutations in EVC/EVC2 were found to be the main pathogenic cause through whole exome sequencing,with mutation types including missense mutations,large-scale duplications/deletions,in-frame microdeletions,nonsense mutations,frameshift mutations,and splicing mutations.Conclusions The compound heterozygous mutations in the EVC gene are the pathogenic cause of the fetus.The detection of these mutations expands the genetic variation spectrum of Ellis-van Creveld syndrome.


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